Thailand’s economic, educational gap widens due to Covid-19 crisis

[webfact]

Thailand’s economic, educational gap widens due to Covid-19 crisis

By The Nation

 

 

The economic, educational and social gap in Thailand has further widened due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Equitable Education Fund’s chief Assoc Prof Dr Chaiyuth Punyasavatsut said, citing the 17.5 per cent rise in students seeking financial support his year.

 

So far, some 1.8 million students have applied for assistance versus 1.56 million in 2019. The applicants are assessed on two criteria – families with incomes less than Bt3,000 per person per year and family status based on the number of dependants, neighbourhood, workplace, vehicle etc.

 

Usually, some 300,000 or 20 per cent of the applicants come under the family income of Bt1,337 per person per year category. However, this number has risen to 600,000 this year.

 

“It can be confirmed that Covid-19 has worsened the economic situation and educational gap. More children are slipping through the system due to high tuition fees,” Chaiyuth said.

 

“Families need to come up tuition fees that are three to four times more than their income to educate children in higher classes.”

 

He said the JPAL Poverty Action Lab had found that the availability of financial support can affect students’ decision to remain in the educational system, which in turn will end the cycle of poverty.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30393201

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-08-19

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Phuketshrew]

Not sure they can blame Covid for the dire education system here ....

[eeworldwide]

IT makes my heart break. I cannot for the life of me fathom why Thailand has this massive poverty issue, when it is so unnecessary. 

 

The sad thing is that even those who CAN afford tuition are receiving appalling education here anyway. 

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

Not sure they can blame Covid for the dire education system here ....

But they will try... Covid is the new "go-to name" to blame everything on.

[RichardColeman]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Usually, some 300,000 or 20 per cent of the applicants come under the family income of Bt1,337 per person per year category. However, this number has risen to 600,000 this year.

Interesting all the countries that categorize 'employed' and borderline starving and potless

[Flying Saucage]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

But they will try... Covid is the new "go-to name" to blame everything on.

And also Covid is s very nice investment opportunity for some local superrich and foreign (=Chinese????) investors to take over smaller bankrupt companies and hotels, and to increase their market share.

[Cereal]

And yet these desperately poor people keep pumping out kids. I don't blame the government, or Covid 19. I blame idiots for having kids they know they cannot afford and are destined to grow up living in ignorance and poverty. 

 

In my opinion, it is the epitome of child abuse.